Author: Kanayan Tamar

HRAPARAK: ARAM ASATRYAN’S SON IS DISCREDITING ARMENIA

Tert.am
10:16 ~U 10.09.11

The paper claims that Tigran Asatryan, who is the son of the late
Armenian pop-singer Aram Asatryan and left for the US several years
ago, is trying now to get US citizenship and is doing it at the
expense of discrediting Armenia by presenting himself as a politically
persecuted person.

Further, the paper says that it recently received Tigran Asatryan’s
letter-article which he asked to publish and was even ready to pay
for the publication.

In the article Tigran Asatryan describes such an Armenia where living
is simply impossible and any reader would be touched and would offer
him political asylum.

The paper adds that Tigran Asatryan is also against President Serzh
Sargsyan’s visit to the US and has joined a signature-collecting
campaign which calls to block Sargsyan’s entry to the US where he is
expected to attend celebrations dedicated to the 20th anniversary of
Armenia’s independence.

LE NOMBRE D’INCENDIES EN AUGMENTATION
[email protected]

armenews.com
samedi 10 septembre 2011
ARMENIE

Le nombre d’incendies de foret est en augmentation dans notre pays
annee après annee. Cette annee ne fut pas une exception. 509 cas ont
deja ete enregistres au premier semestre de cette annee, par rapport
aux 348 cas a la meme periode de 2010. Les specialistes disent que
l’augmentation du nombre de feux est relie avec le rechauffement
climatique. Toutefois, le facteur humain joue egalement un grand rôle.

Les dommages causes par les incendies au cours des six premiers mois
de 2011 ont coûte presque 100 millions de drams par rapport aux 85
millions de l’annee dernière. La plupart des incendies ont eclate a
cause de l’imprudence humaine ce qui est un point de preoccupation
pour les pompiers.

CENTENNIAL ART EXHIBIT AND LECTURE TO TAKE COMMUNITY ‘BEYOND GENOCIDE’

Targeted News Service
September 7, 2011 Wednesday 6:53 AM EST

Wilfrid Laurier University issued the following news release:

Human rights will be in the spotlight from Sept. 19 to 23 when
Wilfrid Laurier University and the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary host
an exhibit, lecture and workshops by U.S.-based artist Amy Fagin
featuring the impact of genocide and mass human rights violations on
various cultures.

The exclusive exhibit is part of Laurier’s centennial celebrations, and
will feature 13 of Fagin’s illuminated manuscripts from her emerging
“Beyond Genocide” series. Illuminated manuscripts are manuscripts
that have been supplemented with additional artwork such as colourful
imagery and symbols. The artist will also lead the lecture “Beyond
Genocide: Illuminating Mass Atrocity” Sept. 21 in the seminary’s
Keffer Chapel.

“I think it’s important to have a visual and literary representation
of genocide and massive human rights violations,” said Rhoda
Howard-Hassmann, the Canada Research Chair in International Human
Rights and a professor in Laurier’s Department of Global Studies and
the Balsillie School of International Affairs. “It shows respect for
the culture of the people who have suffered, and for all the cultural
losses to the world.”

Howard-Hassmann is co-sponsoring this event with the Office of Research
Services and the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary.

“Churches have learned from over 60 years of documenting and defending
human rights that it takes politicians, activists, academics, and
business leaders but equally musicians, poets, and artists to maintain
our collective vigilance,” said David Pfrimmer, principal dean of
the seminary. “We are fortunate to have Amy’s work here as a painful
visual reminder that such vigilance is demanded now more than ever.”

Rather than illustrating the acts of violence, each piece in the
series is crafted as a visual narrative “illuminating” the impact of
genocide and mass annihilation on a specific culture or country.

Countries featured in the exhibit include Afghanistan, Armenia,
Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, the DR Congo, Ethiopia, Hiroshima and
Nagasaki, Indonesia, Iraq and Namibia. The Holocaust as well as the
Crusades and Inquisition are also featured in the illuminations.

Fagin’s artwork will be on display in the seminary from 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. from Sept. 19 to 23. Her lecture takes place on Sept. 21 from
5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Keffer Chapel. In addition, the global
song Inshallah choir will be rehearsing songs from the countries
represented in Fagin’s work Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. in the chapel. All
events are free and open to the public.

Fagin is also willing to conduct free tours of her exhibit or
present her work to groups or classes. Please contact Wendy Webb at
[email protected] for more details.

For more information about the artist, please visit

Contact: Kevin Crowley, Director, Communications & Public Affairs,
519/884-0710 ext. 3070, [email protected]

UNION OF BANKS OF ARMENIA TO BACK THE ECONOMIC UNIVERSITY IN PREPARING HIGHLY SKILLED SPECIALISTS

mediamax, Armenia
Sept 9 2011

Yerevan/Mediamax/. The Armenian State University of Economics (ASUE)
and the Union of Banks of Armenia (UBA) signed a cooperation agreement
today according to which the UBA will support the University in
preparing MA students of the financial-banking sphere.

Mediamax reports that ASUE Rector Koryun Atoyan and UBA Chairman Ashot
Osipyan said in Yerevan today that the Union will participate in the
process of elaboration of educational program in the financial-banking
sphere as well as cooperate with the University aiming to hold
conferences, elaborate joint specialized publications, provide
students’ training in the banks.

According to Ashot Osipyan, the cooperation will be continuous and
will allow making the process of attraction of human resources more
targeted.

WARNING: THEY ARE ARME-D
By David Field

The Sun (England)
September 8, 2011 Thursday

ARMENIA are gunning for second place in Group B after hammering
Slovakia 4-0 on Tuesday night.

Ireland fans saluted them at the time for their fantastic result,
which threw the group wide open.

But the sides could go to war for a play-off position at the Aviva
Stadium on October 11.

And Armenia midfielder Levon Hayrapetyan says they have ‘a real chance’
of taking runner-up spot.

He said: “We believed from the first minute that we could win the
match.

“We never thought before the game that we’d win 4-0 but we always
believed we could win, and after the third goal it became clear
we would.

“There is a real chance now and we have to be focused for our next
game. The main reason for this victory was our great team spirit.”

Armenia visit Macedonia on October 7 before heading to Dublin for
the final qualifier four days later.

Blow A goal from sub Keith Fahey one year ago saw Ireland win the
reverse fixture 1-0 in Yerevan. But on Tuesday night Vardan Minasyan’s
men racked up four unanswered goals in the second half to shock
Slovakia in Zilina.

Yura Movsisyan hit Armenia’s opening goal on 57 minutes before Henrik
Mkhitaryan, Gevorg Ghazaryan and Artur Sarkisov made the game safe.

The hosts’ dejected coach Vladimir Weiss said: “This is a big blow
for us and we didn’t expect a result like it.

“I feel fully responsible for this defeat. The first half was good
from us, but the second half went totally wrong and Armenia punished
us. Congratulations to them.”

Weiss’ men take on group leaders Russia on October 7, the same day
Ireland visit Andorra.

THANKS ARMENIA; GROUP B ROUND-UP

The Mirror, UK
September 7, 2011 Wednesday

Slovakia 0 Armenia 4 ThE Republic of Ireland will be guaranteed
a play-off to earn a place at Euro 2012 if they win next month’s
qualifiers against Andorra and Armenia.

Armenia’s shock 4-0 win over Slovakia on Tuesday was a further boost
for the Republic after Giovanni Trapattoni’s side had earned a 0-0
draw in Moscow.

The Republic face minnows Andorra away on October 7 before facing
Armenia in Dublin four days later.

however, Armenia have now also moved into the frame for qualification.

Russia lead the Group on 17 points – two ahead of the Republic with
Armenia and Slovakia a further point off the pace.

The next round of games on October 7 sees Armenia hosting Macedonia,
Slovakia at home to Russia with the Republic playing in Andorra.

Four days later, the group concludes with the Republic’s home game
against Armenia, Russia hosting Andorra and Slovakia travelling
to Macedonia.

Two remaining Republic wins would be enough to win the group if Russia
lose in Slovakia.

Armenia scored all their goals in the second-half in Tuesday’s win
in Zilina.

Yura Movsisyan put Armenia ahead in the 57th minute with henrik
Mkhitaryan (70), Gevorg Ghazaryan (80) and Artur Sarkisov (90) adding
the further goals.

Meanwhile, Mirko Ivanovski’s goal gave Macedonia a 1-0 win over
Andorra in their Euro 2012 Group B qualifier on Tuesday, securing a
first victory for new coach John Toshack, above.

Ivanovski struck just before the hour after the hosts had wasted a
succession of chances.

Former Wales and Real Madrid manager Toshack was named coach last
month, taking over from Mirsad Jonuz who was sacked.

PMO: NO DECISION OVER ACTION AGAINST TURKEY

Ynetnews
Sept 9 2011
Israel

Following Foreign Minister Avidgor Lieberman’s reported plan to
“punish” Turkey by cooperating with the Armenians and aiding Kurdish
Rebels, The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement saying “our
policy is and will remain to prevent the deterioration of relations
with Turkey and to pacify the tensions between the two countries.

In the statement, it was noted that Netanyahu and other Cabinet
ministers discussed different options in case of further escalation,
but have yet to make any decisions. “Israel will continue to act
responsibly and hopes that Turkey will do the same,” the statement
said. (Attila Somfalvi)

ARMENIA’S POSITIONS ARE INVULNERABLE FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER STATES

Mediamax, Armenia
Sept 8 2011

Yerevan/Mediamax/. Deputy Foreign Minister Shavarsh Kocharyan stated
today that “Armenia’s positions in terms of Nagorno Karabakh settlement
are invulnerable from the viewpoint of international law”.

Addressing the press conference devoted to the 20th anniversary of
the NKR’s independence today, Shavarsh Kocharyan quoted a number
of international documents to prove his words, in particular, UN
Charter, Helsinki Final Act signed and UN Resolution 1974 containing
“Definition of Aggression”, Mediamax reports.

According to the Deputy Foreign Minister, Azerbaijan deliberately
distorts the content of these and other documents regarding Nagorno
Karabakh settlement.

CRITICS DOUBT TURKEY’S PLEDGE TO RETURN CHURCH PROPERTIES

BosNewsLife
Sept 8 2011

ISTANBUL, TURKEY (BosNewsLife)– Turkey’s government has pledged
to return hundreds of properties confiscated from the country’s
Christian and Jewish minorities, but critics say the decree does not
go far enough.

Properties to be returned to Armenian, Greek, and Jewish trusts include
a former hospital, orphanage or school buildings and cemeteries.

Additionally, authorities plan to pay compensation for any confiscated
property that has been sold in the last 75 years.

Yet, in comments monitored by BosNewsLife Thursday, September 8, rights
activists warned that many Armenian Christians will not receive back
anything as the measure only applies to properties taken after 1936.

SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY

“A significant proportion of property belonging to Armenian Christian
groups were lost before this time and so are not covered by the
decree,” said advocacy group Middle East Concern (MEC).

The group also cautioned that the “wording of the decree excludes
payment of compensation in cases where the State did not benefit”
financially.

“It’s a very trifle step,” added expert of Turkish studies Anush
Hovhannisyan in comments published by Armenian radio.

At least hundreds of thousands of Armenians, and some say up to 1.5
million, were reportedly massacred during that time. Additionally
1.5 million Greeks were deported in a population exchange.

“IMMENSE LOSS”

Hovhannisyan said the “loss of Armenians was immense, taking into
consideration that the process of confiscation of Armenians’ property
was continuous, especially during the genocide and the years that
followed.”

Turkey has refused to recognized the deaths as “genocide” saying most
Armenians died because of hardships related to the war.

However Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I reportedly saw some
positive aspects, saying he hopes that the theological school of Halki,
which was closed in 1971, would be returned and reopened.

“Not being allowed to operate a seminary within the country has caused
a number of serious challenges,” MEC told BosNewsLife in a statement.

DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS

There are now some 100,000 Christians of different denominations,
including 60,000 Armenians, and about 25,000 Jews among Turkey’s
overwhelmingly Muslim population of 74 million, according to church
and other estimates.

Turkey has been pressured by the European Union to improve religious
rights of minorities at a time when it seeks membership of the
27-nation club.

INTERNATIONAL MEDIATORS CONTINUE EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN THE CEASEFIRE AND REACH ENDORSEMENT OF BASIC PRINCIPLES ON KARABAKH

news.am, Armenia
Sept 8 2011

VIENNA. – The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group on Karabakh conflict
resolution, Ambassadors Bernard Fassier of France, Robert Bradtke of
the United States, and Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, released
a statement on Thursday, informs OSCE official website.

“The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk
(Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office) met on
September 7 in Vienna to discuss and coordinate their program of
activities, leading up to the Vilnius Ministerial Council of the OSCE
in December.

The Co-Chairs also briefed the OSCE Minsk Group on the continued
high-level engagement with the sides by all three Co-Chair governments,
as well as on concrete efforts to strengthen the ceasefire and to reach
endorsement of the Basic Principles as a framework for a comprehensive
peace agreement. On September 8, the Co-Chairs met with OSCE Secretary
General Lamberto Zannier to further discuss these and other aspects
of the peace process,” reads the statement.